[SFDXA] This is a bad trend…..

[Donald Drennon]

Waiting for one of lawyers to chime in before I comment. Hi.

Sent from my New iPad

> On Jan 12, 2014, at 11:21 PM, "Pete Rimmel N8PR" <n8pr1 at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 
> I agree wholeheartedly...
> 
> PeteR  N8PR
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: Todd Coulter
> Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2014 8:16 PM
> To: sfdxa
> Subject: [SFDXA] This is a bad trend…..
> 
> Copied from the N6PSE website. http://n6pse.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/this-is-a-bad-trend-2/
> 
> 
> The hobby of amateur radio has many phrases and a unique terminology. Within DXing we have a
> unique set of terms that we use regularly. QSO, contact, QSL, QRZ, five-nine, pileup, 73 and many others.
> Each year at about this time of the year, we think about the best DXpeditions of the previous year and who might win
> the various awards for the best DXpedition. These awards are commonly known as “DXpedition of the Year” and they are
> often given at the “DX Dinner”.
> A number of clubs and international amateur websites give a DXpedition of the Year award and many clubs and conventions
> have a DX Dinner. This is all good so far.
> Here is the rub, the Southwest Ohio DX Association (SWODXA) has trademarked the
> terms “DXpedition of the Year” and “DX Dinner”.
> This essentially makes these terms belong to them for their use and control.
> They can file suit and prosecute anyone else who uses these terms without their permission.
> Now I’m not a lawyer (obviously) but how can a club trademark terms that we all know and use?
> What’s next? Will they trademark the term DX? (too late its already trademarked)
> Will they trademark the term DXpedition? How about Contest or DX Contest?
> I think trademarking these common terms within our hobby is wrong.
> I liken it to the same greedy and “me me me” attitude so prevalent in our hobby these days.
> The SWODXA organization is a great club and they are very generous to DXpeditions.
> That is why this trend is even more wrong for them to undertake. I think it tarnishes their stellar image.
> I liken it to the Contesters creating phony clubs and hoarding all of the available 1X2 call signs for
> their phony clubs. This is a bad trend and it concerns me what will be trademarked next?
> The Southwest Ohio DX Association needs to rethink their trademarking policy and give these terms
> back to the hobby of amateur radio for everyone to use freely.
> What do you think?
> ______________________________________________________________
> South Florida DX Assoc.
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> ______________________________________________________________
> South Florida DX Assoc.
> SFDXA WebSite: http://www.SFDXA.com
> SFDXA Repeater 147.33+ 103.5 Tone
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